2025.09.18 THROW BACK THURSDAY - FAIR PARK'S "OVER THE JUMPS" CAROUSEL TURNS 101!!!! PLUS CLASS NEWS
THROW BACK THURSDAY - FAIR PARK'S "OVER THE JUMPS" CAROUSEL TURNS 101!!!! PLUS CLASS NEWS
For more than a century, the Little Rock Zoo's "Over-the-Jumps" carousel has captured the hearts and imaginations of children and adults alike. Built in the 1920s and first showcased at the 1924 Arkansas State Fair, the Over-the-Jumps carousel is a unique piece of Arkansas history. With its undulating track motion, it offers a ride experience unlike any other carousel in the world, giving riders the sensation of "jumping" over hills. Today, we celebrate an incredible milestone—100+ years of this extraordinary carousel's operation.
A Rare Survivor
Carousels were immensely popular in the United States from 1887 to 1935, with approximately 8,000 built during that time. Today, fewer than 150 have survived, and even fewer have undergone restoration. The Over-the-Jumps was a traveling carousel built by the Herschell-Spillman Engineering Company of North Tonawanda, New York. It was only in production for a couple of years, and about ten were made. There were not many traveling carousels built back then that survived over the years due to the harsh conditions of constant traveling, set-ups, and tear-downs. Of the original four Over-the-Jumps carousels constructed by Herschell-Spillman, this one at the Little Rock Zoo is the last of its kind.
The horses on this carousel were hand-crafted and mounted on a wavy track. Instead of moving up and down individually, the horses remain stationary while the track itself undulates, giving riders the sensation of riding over hills. Powered by steam when it was first constructed, the carousel at Little Rock was later converted to a 3-speed electric motor. There are 40 horses and four chariots on the carousel, all mounted from the left side and rotating clockwise, in keeping with the tradition that most warriors, who were right-handed, mounted from the left to have quick access to their swords.
The Carousel’s Journey Through Time
After making its first appearance at the 1924 Arkansas State Fair as part of a traveling circuit of amusement rides, the Over-the-Jumps carousel became a fixture in Little Rock during the 1930s. In 1942, Tom Fuzzell of Little Rock purchased the carousel to save it from destruction and set it up at what was then War Memorial Park. Over the years, it went through several changes of ownership, but its popularity never waned.
In 1989, the carousel was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. By 1991, however, with the closure of War Memorial Park to make room for a pool and fitness center, the carousel was put up for sale and faced the possibility of being auctioned off. The owners at the time, Mokie Shotes and Doc O’Kelley, received interest from buyers across the country and even internationally. At this critical moment, Little Rock residents Marlena Grunewald and Senator Mike Kinard formed the Friends of the Carousel group to keep the ride in Little Rock. Classmate Marcella Rowland Grimmett, was a major player in the Friends of the Carousel group!
Thanks to their efforts, hundreds of thousands of dollars were raised through fundraising, grants, donations, and city funds to purchase the carousel, restore it, and construct a new home for it at the Little Rock Zoo. The restoration was a labor of love, involving expert craftspeople like Rick Parker of Gentry, Arkansas, who restored the horses and chariots, and an Amish wheelwright from Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania, who rebuilt the carousel’s large wooden wheels.
The total cost of the restoration project reached into the millions, but the community's dedication ensured that the carousel would remain a part of Little Rock's history for future generations to enjoy. In 2007, the fully restored Over-the-Jumps carousel was officially donated to the Little Rock Zoo. A few years ago, Pat Glass Thompson's children threw her a Happy Birthday party at the carousel and we all got to ride to our heart's content.
A Century of Magic
Today, visitors can still enjoy rides on this historic carousel, which operates year-round (weather permitting) at the Little Rock Zoo. For just $3, visitors can experience the unique joy of riding the last remaining "over-the-jumps" carousel, with all proceeds going toward its maintenance and upkeep. The carousel is closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays during the winter months and may also close during periods of extreme heat or severe weather.
In 2020, the National Carousel Association recognized the Over-the-Jumps carousel with its prestigious Historic Award, a testament to its unique place in both state and national history. As one of the few surviving carousels from the early 20th century, it serves as a reminder of the golden age of amusement rides and continues to delight generations of Arkansans.
As the carousel spins into its next century, it stands as a living piece of history—a symbol of Little Rock's rich past and a beacon of joy for future generations.
1956 CLASS NEWS
We've lost one of our most faithful classmates, Gary Wayne Frederick. Gary responded every single Thursday to my TBT and came to LR
the year the Tiger Foundation gave our Class a special award. I will miss hearing from him. He had a wonderful sense of humor.
Obituary for Gary Wayne Frederick
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Gary Wayne Frederick, age 86, who entered eternal rest on August 31, 2025.
Gary was born on January 15, 1939 in Little Rock, Arkansas, and lived a life defined by faith, service, family, and love. Gary was
preceded in death by his father Proctor Bernard Frederick, mother Roselyn Frederick, sister Linda Frederick, and his beloved wife of
many years, Judy McGuffin Frederick. He is survived by his devoted sons Michael Frederick and Robert Frederick and Robert’s wife
Jamie Hooten Frederick. Gary’s legacy continues through his cherished grandchildren: Benjamin Frederick, Haddon Frederick, Mikaela
Mowell, Jack Frederick, Caleb Frederick, Genevieve Mowell, and Sarah Frederick. Gary graduated from Little Rock Central High School
in 1956 and attended college at Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas where he studied literature and philosophy. While at Hendrix he
played on the basketball team and ran mile for the track team. He was a letterman in both sports and graduated from Hendrix in 1960
with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy. A proud graduate of Southern Methodist University’s Perkins School of Theology, Gary was ordained
as a Methodist Minister in 1964. It was during his time at SMU that he met Judy, the love of his life. Gary served faithfully for eight years as
a minister in Garland, Texas 1964-67, and later at University Methodist Church in Austin, Texas 1967-1971. In 1971, he transitioned from
the ministry into a long and meaningful 35-year career with the State of Texas at the Department of Human Services and Texas Workforce
Commission, where he dedicated himself to helping others. Gary’s life was also shaped by his passion for the outdoors and his strong sense
of community. An Eagle Scout and proud member of the Order of the Arrow, he loved camping, backpacking, and spending time in nature.
He was deeply involved in his sons’ lives, coaching their basketball and baseball teams and always cheering them on from the sidelines.
Above all, Gary was a man of quiet strength, unwavering faith, and endless generosity. He touched countless lives through his ministry,
his work, and his role as a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend. A memorial service to honor Gary’s life will be held on Saturday,
September 20, 2025, at 10:00 AM at First United Methodist Church in Longview, Texas. Family and friends are invited to gather and celebrate
a life well-lived and a legacy that will endure. Gary Wayne Frederick will be deeply missed, but his memory will live on in the hearts of all who
were blessed to know him. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude's or the First United Methodist Church of Longview
in Gary's name.
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Sorry, Barbara, but here is a "remembrance" when you mention "Cheers" while in high school:
When we were Juniors, North Little Rock had a basketball player named Fortenberry. There was a rowdy group of LR guys that led some pretty
funny cheers from the stands. I think they called themselves the Nightcappers. Every time Fortenberry would take the floor they would start a
chant "I smell Fartenberry" and keep repeating it over and over; the poor guy would get so flustered he couldn't even dribble the ball. "Anonymous"
1955 CLASS NEWS
Rosemary Ridgedill Arnold moved to Tampa, FL to be near her sons. We have her new address. Give her a call or
send her a card to tell her she is missed!
ROSEMARY ARNOLD
800 Azeele Street , Apt.#503
Tampa, Florida 33606
501-590-9333
1954 CLASS NEWS
I'm guessing many of you remember H. N. Means. He passed away this week at the age of 89.
HENRY N. “HANK” MEANS III,
He graduated from Little Rock High School in 1954, where he was proud to play under legendary coach Wilson Matthews
in the 1952 and 1953 football state championship teams. In 1958, he graduated from the United States Naval Academy in
Annapolis, Md., and went on to complete The Basic School (TBS) in Quantico, Va. He served honorably in the U.S. Marine
Corps, retiring with the rank of Captain. During his military service, he served in Vietnam as an artillery officer with the
1st Division, 12th Marines. Following his military career, Hank returned to Little Rock, where he worked as a civil engineer
for the State of Arkansas. He earned his Professional Engineer (P.E.) license and later attended Bowen School of Law at the
University of Arkansas at Little Rock while working fulltime as a civil engineer. After passing the bar, he practiced law in
Little Rock, focusing on bankruptcy law, until his retirement in 2012. His goal as an attorney was always to help people
through difficult times. A funeral service will be held at Roller-Owens Funeral Home in North Little Rock on Saturday,
September 20, 2025, at 2 p.m.
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ML